Elizibeth Likens

KOSCIUSKO — A Winona Lake woman was sentenced to three years at the Indiana Department of Corrections in Kosciusko Superior Court 1 Thursday, April 25.

Elizibeth Likens, 32, 1202 Wooster Road, No. 13, Winona Lake, pleaded guilty to child solicitation, a level 5 felony; and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, all class A misdemeanors. 

According to court documents, on Jan. 22, 2018, an officer responded to a report of a juvenile consuming alcohol. Upon arrival, a witness showed the officer a video that a female minor, identified as AA, had shown her. In the video, another female minor, identified as BB, is seen consuming an alcoholic beverage.

The officer spoke with BB, who advised she had been at a sleepover with two other female minors, identified as CC and DD. BB told the officer that an older female named Lizzy, later identified as Likens, was at the residence and brought alcoholic beverages. BB further advised that Likens had attempted to kiss her.

A caseworker with the Indiana Department of Child Services spoke with CC, who confirmed that BB and DD had been at a sleepover. CC stated that Likens came into the bedroom with beer and whiskey and encouraged them to drink it by saying, “Chug, chug, chug.” CC further advised that Likens was in the room for more than an hour making inappropriate comments to them such as, “You are so sexy.”

The caseworker then spoke with DD, who gave a similar sequence of events. DD stated Likens attempted to kiss her. Likens then reportedly kissed BB, which DD referred to as a “really sexual kiss.”

The officer spoke with an 18-year-old female who was at the residence a day after the minor females. This female advised that Liken also offered her alcoholic beverages, tried to kiss her, put her hands down the back of her pants and rubbed up the back of her shirt, touching her bra strap.

Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz told the court that Likens has a substance abuse problem. 

“Her substance abuse perhaps explains, but in no way excuses, what happened in this case,” said Voelz.

Likens told Judge David Cates that she is a good mother and requested she be allowed to serve any sentence imposed through house arrest.

Her attorney, C. Austin Rovenstine, told the court that Likens’ father has been very supportive and is eager to get her into treatment for substance abuse. 

Judge Cates sentenced Likens to three years at IDOC for the child solicitation charge. Likens was sentenced to 180 days on each of the three misdemeanor charges, with those sentences to be served concurrently. 

“I believe you could be a good mother,” said Cates. “I don’t believe what you’ve done here qualifies for that.”

Likens was ordered to have no contact with any of the victims in this case. She was given 109 days of jail time credit and ordered to register as a sex offender. Cates also recommended that Likens participate in the Recovery While Incarcerated program.